Program Director - DRIVE at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

About DRIVE

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery in Vulnerable Environments (DRIVE) project is a two-year integrated multi-sectoral intervention funded under USAID/BHA starting in October 2024. Building on the experience and achievements of the Transitioning Households to Recovery from Vulnerability (THRIVE) project, DRIVE will provide a coordinated package of life-sustaining and life-building early recovery interventions to vulnerable but productive households in targeted communities of MMC/Jere. Working in partnership with the Justice, Development and Peace Commission( JDPC), DRIVE will target 22,000 households, both settled internally displaced people (IDP) and host community members. DRIVE will coordinate with and build the capacity of the Borno State Government ( BSG) to operationalize integrated early recovery interventions and strengthen community leadership in DRR, recovery and social cohesion. 

Job Summary: 

The Program Director will lead and manage the DRIVE team, budget and program. S/he will develop DRIVE’s strategic direction and provide technical advice across all program components in the planning, design and implementation of  DRIVE. S/he will lead the communication and   engagement representation for CRS and DRIVE with relevant BSG ministries and agencies S/he will work closely with JDPC and their technical teams to develop staff capacity and ensure integration across organizations and objectives.   The Program Director will oversee field-level program activities and ensure that CRS modalities are implemented correctly and that program targets are met. S/he is responsible for coordinating award management, budgeting and implementation tasks, liaising with USAID/BHA on program, budget and technical matters, and responding to other inquiries. S/he will lead coordination for DRIVE with other humanitarian and development actors in Maiduguri.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage key aspects of DRIVE project design, budget, start up, implementation and learning for CRS and JDPC.
• Serve as the key contact to USAID as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
• Lead on the design, set up of the RedRose platform for DRIVE in JDPC. Organize technical training for the CAT, program, SCM and finance teams on CVA modalities, protocols and requirements.  Support CAT and RedRose problem solving and provide technical guidance. 
• Provide assistance for developing budgets and support the CRS and JDPC teams to navigate routine operating challenges as they arise. 
• Manage key project components, ensuring timely and quality results. Support project planning and manage capacity building activities for JDPC in coordination with the CRS ALLRIGHT project.  
• Provide leadership to ensure CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures. 
• Ensure project strategy and methodologies foster gender equality and social inclusion and that they are effectively implemented. Regularly identify and apply learning, refining approaches as needed to close gender gaps and promote social inclusion across project activities and the systems they contribute to.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise the CRS DRIVE team, program, operations and finance. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations, including all reporting and MEAL requirements, financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USAID. 
• Engage with, plan and coordinate activities with key government agencies and stakeholders, BSA, NEMA and SEMA etc.,   in target sectors identified by DRIVE for collaboration and capacity building
• Lead coordination with key development and humanitarian partners. Represent CRS at meetings, workshops, and other events as required. Establish relationships with public and private sector stakeholders. 
• Maintain relationships with key staff of JDPC in regard to area of responsibility. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of JDPC staff on DRIVE in line with CRS partnership principles. 
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and recommend trainings and technical assistance.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a livelihoods, agriculture or related technical area. 
• 5 years’ senior management and technical experience of recovery programming in insecure locations.
• 3 years’ experience in managing USAID programs and   funds. Knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Experience of setting up and running   CVA activities using the Red Rose platform.
• 2 years’ experience of consortium-based program leadership in North East Nigeria.